Former Wallabies coach Alan Jones is urging Australia to challenge the All Blacks' haka before the third Bledisloe Cup test in Sydney on Saturday.
With a draw in the first test in Wellington, followed by a win in Auckland a week later, the All Blacks only need to draw one of the final two tests to retain the Bledisloe Cup for a 17th consecutive time.
The All Blacks have never secured the trophy on Australian soil and they're determined to wrap up the series before the fourth match in Brisbane.
Writing a column in The Australian, Jones lashed out at the haka, calling it a "war dance" that should "only be performed on New Zealand soil when they are defending their home turf".
That's when Jones said he wants the Wallabies to challenge the haka, similar to what France did before the 2007 Rugby World Cup quarter-final or what England did before their semi-final win over New Zealand at last year's tournament.
"Why should they have to stand 20m away? I would be saying to the team, get in their faces," writes Jones.
"But, nonetheless, I do not believe the All Blacks have any right issuing a challenge to the Wallabies on Australian soil."
Jones wants to see the rise in defiance of the challenge laid down by the All Blacks' haka.
"Rather than taking a knee or wearing the indigenous Wallaby jersey, take a stand against the haka," Jones says.
World Rugby regulations dictate that a 20m gap is maintained between the two sides while the haka is being performed, which Jones encouarges the Wallabies to shun.
"I mean no offence to the All Blacks. They are a wonderful side. New Zealand is a fine country and we have the best of relationships.
"But, nonetheless, I do not believe the All Blacks have any right issuing a challenge to the Wallabies on Australian soil," Jones wrote in The Australian.
Join us from 9:30pm Saturday for live updates of the third All Blacks v Australia Bledisloe Cup test
